Vortex Hydro Energy

VIVACE is the first known device that could harness energy from most of the water currents around the globe because it works in flows moving slower than 2 knots (about 2 miles per hour.) Most of the Earth‘s currents are slower than 3 knots. Turbines and water mills need an average of 5 or 6 knots to operate efficiently. VIVACE stands for Vortex Induced Vibrations for Aquatic Clean Energy. It doesn‘t depend on waves, tides, turbines or dams. It‘s a unique hydrokinetic energy system that relies on vortex induced vibrations. Vortex induced vibrations are undulations that a rounded or cylinder-shaped object makes in a flow of fluid, which can be air or water. The presence of the object puts kinks in the current‘s speed as it skims by. This causes eddies, or vortices, to form in a pattern on opposite sides of the object. The vortices push and pull the object up and down or left and right, perpendicular to the current. The very presence of the cylinder in the current causes alternating vortices to form above andbelow the cylinder. The vortices push and pull the passive cylinder up and down on its springs, creating mechanical energy. Then, the machine converts the mechanical energy into electricity. Vortices in the fluid flow move the device, which is passive. Just a few cylinders might be enough to power an anchored ship, or a lighthouse. These cylinders could be stacked in a short ladder. It is estimated that an array of VIVACE converters the size of a running track and about two stories high could power about 100,000 houses. Such an array could rest on a river bed orit could dangle, suspended in the water. But it would all be under the surface. Because the oscillations of VIVACE would be slow, it is theorized that the system would not harm marine life like dams and water turbines can. As of right now, this environmentally friendly technology is still in research stage and is currently undergoing experiments Several machines can be connected together and linked to shore through a single subsea cable Converters on the ocean floor